New Pooh Movie among Disney’s new licensing plans

Back in 2006 when Handy Manny was first broadcast on the Disney Channel, I wrote about the lack of toys available for this very popular series. There were dozens and dozens of comments on that post asking where they could find Handy Manny toys. I even wrote my contacts at Disney Consumer Products asking them to release something, anything.

Finally, this last year or so a few toys have trickled out. But nothing giving Handy Manny the fleet of toys he deserves based on demand. Well, it seems Disney has finally come around. At the recent Licensing expo in Las Vegas they announced that Handy Manny would be getting two prime time specials and a bunch more licensed product to go along with it.

But that’s not the big news coming from the Licensing Expo. The news is that Disney thinks 6 years is enough to let the Winnie the Pooh franchise rest, at least when it comes to feature films. They’ll be coming out with a new Winnie the Pooh movie in 2011 and the best news is that it will be hand drawn.

I choose to ignore the blasphemy of ‘My Friends Tigger and Pooh’ where not only did they switch to CGI animation, but also ditched Christopher Robin for Penny Darby, a new character created by Disney Marketing to sell the plush better. Sure, Disney added the Gopher earlier, but that was a relatively minor change. I sure hope they plan to bring back Christopher Robin in this new movie.

My hopes are high as I see the influence of John Lasseter in this move. Had Eisner still be in charge, this surely would still be CG animation. But when it comes down to it, it’s the story that really matters, and Lasseter will make sure that’s in line before greenlighting a single scene.

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6 thoughts on “New Pooh Movie among Disney’s new licensing plans”

Actually, the girl in “My Friends Tigger and Pooh” is named Darby; there’s a Penny in “The Rescuers” and one in “Bolt”. Just FYI! :) A new (hand-drawn!) theatrical Pooh film is very exciting- I can’t wait to learn more about the project!

Has this actually been confirmed that Walt Disney Animation Studios (formerly Walt Disney Feature Animation) in Burbank, CA is the studio that will do the new Pooh feature ?

There was a single article from the Hollywood Reporter which said this new Pooh film was announced at the Licensing Expo , but that’s the only source and I’ve heard nothing confirming the project from Walt Disney Animation Studios .

“The movie is being produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. This marks the first time in more than 35 years that a Winnie the Pooh motion picture is being produced at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Under the supervision of John Lasseter and producer, Clark Spencer (“Lilo & Stitch,” “Bolt”) the movie is due out in theaters spring 2011. Steve Anderson (“Meet the Robinsons”) and Don Hall (head of story on “The Princess and The Frog”) will co-direct. Tidbit: Burny Mattinson who worked as an animator on the original Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree featurette in 1964 will serve as the lead story artist on the project. ”

That’s so exciting to hear about a new Pooh feature in the traditional animation. Roo and Tigger and Piglet had their own movies…it’s time for Eeyore!! With Disney Channel burying Pooh and not promoting him I was worried about Pooh’s future. Thanks Disney for this new project! Do it up right this time.